Hurricane Sandy: Evacuations may be ordered in Cape May County

Weather forecasters say New Jersey is under an increasing threat of taking a direct hit from a powerful - and perhaps unprecedented - hybrid storm early next week. Pictured here are waves on the coast of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic as Hurricane Sandy closed in on that area Thursday.Orlando Barria/EPA

As Hurricane Sandy continues its crawl up the Eastern seaboard this afternoon, emergency management officials in the Garden State are weighing whether to issue evacuation orders.

According to the Associated Press and the CBS News affiliate in Philadelphia, voluntary evacuation advisories have been issued today for the barrier islands of Cape May County, and mandatory evacuations will be ordered in Cape May County on Sunday.

Cape May officials, however, have not yet confirmed those reports. The county's emergency management office referred calls to the county communications director, who could not be reached for comment this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard is urging boaters to pay close attention to storm warnings as Hurricane Sandy is expected to affect the mid-Atlantic region between North Carolina and New Jersey this weekend.

Forecasters say Sandy, which is currently a low-level, Category 1, hurricane, is projected to merge with two other weather systems, bringing heavy rain, high winds and flooding to New Jersey and other states along the East Coast.

This morning, the National Hurricane Center predicted the storm could pass over the Cape May-Delaware area Tuesday morning. But winds and rain are likely to extend for hundreds of miles, as far west as Ohio and West Virginia.

New Jersey activated the State Emergency Operations Center this morning and Gov. Chris Christie urged residents to keep a close eye on Hurricane Sandy's trajectory.

Christie directed residents to the state Office of Emergency Management's Hurricane Survival Guide at www.ready.nj.gov/plan/hurricanes.html for tips on how to prepare for the storm.

Residents can receive messages from the State Police by sending a text message with their zip code to 888777. Online registration is also available at www.nixle.com.

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, the Coast Guard urges people to be mindful of the following:

• Anticipate bridge closures. Mariners are advised that during strong storms drawbridges along the coast may deviate from the normal operating procedures. Drawbridges are authorized by federal code to remain closed upon the approach of gale force winds or higher. Mariners should anticipate bridge closures by listening to the National Weather Service and Coast Guard broadcasts on the storm conditions.

• Stay off the water. The Coast Guard’s search and rescue capabilities are degraded as storm conditions strengthen. This means help could be delayed. Boaters are urged to heed weather watches, warnings and small craft advisories. People should not go out on their boats 48 hours prior to and at least 72 to 96 hours after a hurricane has passed as debris may be in the water and navigational aids may have shifted.

• Evacuate as necessary. If evacuations are set for an area, the public is urged to heed to those orders. Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders may not be able to evacuate those in danger during the storm.

• Secure your belongings. Owners of larger boats are urged to move their boats to inland marinas where they will be less vulnerable to breaking free of their moorings or damage. Trailerable boats should be pulled from the water and stored in a place that is not prone to flooding. Those who are leaving their boats in the water are reminded to secure life rings, life jackets, emergency position indicating radio beacons and small boats. These items, if not secured properly, can break free and require valuable search and rescue resources to be diverted to ensure people are not in distress.

• Be cautious of hazardous materials. If you have hazardous materials on or near the water, you are responsible for any spills that may occur. Take the necessary precautions to secure them prior to any foul weather.

• Stay clear of beaches. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes. Swimmers are urged to wait until local officials say the water is safe.

• Stay informed. The public should monitor the progress and strength of Sandy through local television, radio and internet. Boaters can monitor its progress on VHF-FM channel 16. Information can also be obtained on port conditions in Hampton Roads by visiting the Coast Guard's Homeport Site.

The Associated Press and Star-Ledger staff writers Len Melisurgo and Jenna Portnoy contributed to this report.